Brooklyn Emergency Water Mitigation: common water damage concerns affecting local properties

8/10/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professionals specialize in the cleanup and restoration of NYC residential or commercial property after a seasonal water property damage emergency.

A Fast Water Removal Response Minimizes Damages

Our crews are available 24/7 to aid our local Brooklyn and Queens County community with both commercial and residential water damage emergencies. A fast response and action to a water damage situation can significantly reduce the overall damage to your home or business. SERVPRO can deploy submersible pumps, water extractors, air movers, and dehumidifiers. The capacities of these units are tailored to your situation. Our objective is to return your home to its original condition as quickly as possible.

If the water level is over two inches, each team of WRTs starts removal with a commercial grade, submersible pump. All water we remove goes directly in a drain, and not across the backyard to cause a problem for neighbors or the residents one street over. If possible, technicians direct it into sewer access if one is available.

For water levels under two inches, SERVPRO WRTs utilize extraction wands and other, smaller devices. Each one has three components, but technicians start by using only the pump option to remove water from the floors. Once they begin drawing water out of carpets, upholstery, and other items, they use the other two, a heater and vacuum to carefully draw water out of carpets and from between floorboards.

Water extraction is the heart of this water restoration process, and depending on the severity of your issue, can get accomplished in several ways. For smaller volumes needing removal, a combination of portable pumps and wet vacs get used to pull the water from the floors. For larger projects, especially those that stand to risk the structural integrity of your home considerably, our SERVPRO technicians might opt to use a pump truck.

There’s no way to eliminate all risk of water damage to your property, but knowing common concerns, practicing good maintenance, and taking preventative measures will reduce your risks and help you respond better if something does occur. About one in 50 insured homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year. Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn staff is highly trained and experienced in the cleanup and restoration of water property damage from seasonal temperature and precipitation. Our team can respond quickly and help you assess your damage and find a restoration solution that you can trust. If your home or business experiences a water or flood damage, calling our IICRC certified water restoration professionals can minimize the damage and help reduce your repair cost.

Most common water damage concerns impacting Southwest Brooklyn properties:

• Worn Appliances and Equipment
  If your home or business has equipment that utilizes water, leakage is an ever-present danger. Air conditioners, water heaters and washing machines or anything that uses tubes, pipes, gaskets, or filters to operate has the potential to leak. Regularly inspecting and maintaining your equipment, replacing old or worn parts and having adequate insulation can help prevent an unnecessary leak or pipe burst.
• Roof Damage
  Make sure you’re checking your roof regularly, closely monitor for any damage to your perimeter flashing, roof membrane or roof penetrations like drains, pipes and gas lines. Over time, small concerns can cause incredible strain and lead to leaks leaving you with a minefield of potential hazards.
• Faulty Pipes and Drains
  Your property’s plumbing system is susceptible to stoppages, clogs and other types of damage that could potentially spill over 250 gallons of water per day. Even a small leak can cause secondary damages such as mold growth or high levels of humidity. Regular inspections and proper maintenance are critical to avoid plumbing concerns, look for outward signs of moisture, blue stains, rusting, cracking and bulging. Also, if your facility is exposed to lower temperatures, keep your pipes always insulated to prevent freezing.
• Sprinkler Systems
  Overspray, installation errors and broken pipes and sprinkler heads can all cause water property damages. Always check your sprinkler system for signs of damage or rust and replace them regularly to make sure they are functioning properly.
• Mother Nature
  Natural disasters like hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and flash flooding can do untold damage to your property. You certainly can’t control the weather, but you can control how ready you are for it. Keeping your gutters clear, installing barriers, and storing sensitive files and electronics at a higher level are all things you can do to keep the damage minimal.